International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
UNO Headquarters in New York.
Photo by Niyi Fote/Thenews2
On February 10th, 2020, during “Investment in Equality in Science, Technology and Innovation in the Era of Digitalization For Sustainable Development” at the conference room of the UN in New York and in a way to increase full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
This situation is really alarming as only 30 per cent of world researchers are women. In fact, about 5 per cent of women are enrolled in science related subjects like natural science, mathematics and statistics while 8 per cent in engineering, manufacturing and construction. The motive is the
biases and gender stereotypes which are driving girls and women away from science related fields.
It is worthy of note that Science and gender equality are both crucial for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For more than 15 years, the world community has made a lot of effort both in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science but they continue to be excluded from participating fully in science.
Thus, with this UN resolution and February 11 declared as international day of Women and Girls, perhaps things start to change .
By Niyi Fote /Thenews2
